Having an online presence is crucially important today. People want to be able to do their research, find out what services are near to them and, perhaps most importantly, find out how well-rated they are.
Once you’ve learn the skills of the trade and gained your certification, the next step is to set up shop online, whether this is through social media pages for your business, a website, or an online booking form. Chances are that your competitors are online so if you’re not, then you could just be handing your potential clients right their way.
One important aspect of having your business online is to have a business profile on Google. Simply called ‘Google My Business’, this profile will mean that whenever someone locally searches for something relevant to your business then you will stand out on the search engine and could bring clients in.
While it may sound like quite a complex thing to set up, we’re here to tell you that it’s far from complex and with a few simple steps, you’ll start being noticed in no time. Best of all, it’s free to use and set up.
Here’s how our GMB listing looks:
Setting up shop
Getting your Google profile set up should be a relatively easy process. If you don’t already have a Google account, you will need to set one up. Otherwise, you can log in with your existing Google details.
You’ll then need to add a few details, such as your business address and the type of business you have. Google will then need to verify your details, and you can choose from a number of different options – but, this won’t always happen instantly. You may need to wait a few days for the verification process.
Getting to know your way around
The GMB dashboard gives you plenty of options to edit and amend the information you include in your listing. Have a look around when you’re verified, and get familiar with what you can do.
When you’re ready, fill out the relevant information about your business and what you offer, and you’re good to go.
Here’s some additional tips to make sure you get the very best out of your GMB profile.
Flaunt those five stars
The most challenging part of setting up a online listing for the first time is that you’ll be lacking in the reviews department, but you can build this up with a bit of dedication.
Tell regular clients about your new listing and ask them to leave a favorable comment about your business. You could even sweeten the deal by offering a discount in exchange for a review. Get some business cards made that include the link to your listing and mention a possible discount or offer if they leave a review.
The more positive reviews you get, the more enticing you’ll look and the better you’ll rank with Google.
Keep it up-to-date
One of the biggest responsibilities of having a listing with Google is that you need to keep it relevant. Whenever you change your opening hours or a telephone number, you need to ensure this is changed on your profile too – it won’t happen automatically and could lose you business if you don’t.
If you add a new beauty service or decide to stop doing particular procedures, you need to make that clear otherwise you’re going to have people getting in touch with you regarding things you may no longer provide.
To update your profile, log in to the dashboard and click on “infoâ€. Then click on the pencil icon next to the field you want to change and then click “apply†when it’s all how you want it.
Pictures are worth a thousand words
Visual information is a lot more pleasing than long paragraphs, so think about how you can make your listing as visually appealing as possible.
Regularly adding photos will not only show potential clients that your profile is relevant and up-to-date, but it’ll also show off your business and the services you have to offer.
Click on “photos†to add some to your listing. Your “cover photo” will be the main image shown on your listing so it’s important to choose the most visually appealing one that says as much about your business as possible.
Google recommends you also add a minimum of three exterior photos (showing the outside of your business from different directions) and three interior photos. If possible, you should also include photos of your products or services too. It’s also recommended to add photos of the team, as this will help clients get familiar with who they’ll be interacting with.
Check your area
With GMB, you can select the specific areas you operate in. This will ensure your listing only appears in searches when people are local to you. In order to get the most out of your profile, think carefully about which surrounding areas to include.
If there’s a bit of a distance involved for a client to travel, then perhaps it’s worth investing your time and effort in those closer to you. Your address will appear on a map, and people will be able to get directions directly to you too – which is always a bonus!
Entice, entice, entice
Having a slow week and want to perk up business? Using statuses to share a special offer is a great way of bringing the clients in and can ensure you’re always busy. You can also use statuses to share things or events, such as what’s going on in the local community.
Edit on the go
As with most Google services, you can use Google My Business via its very own app. Available on iOS and Android, you can do all of the above and much more.
This is perfect for whenever you have a spare few minutes in the day, or really want to show off a photo you’ve just taken.
You can set up your Google My Business profile here.
Be sure to book your spot on one of our microblading classes in order to be able to offer the best service to your clients.
